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‘Big Bang Theory’ Scores Big Three-Year Renewal

Television’s funniest scientists will be solving equations and mooning over women for at least three more years.

CBS President Nina Tassler and Warner Brothers President Peter Roth announced Wednesday that “The Big Bang Theory” has been picked up through the 2013-2014 television season.

Tassler said, “It doesn’t take a theoretical physicist to see why this show is a BIG part of our comedy future. From ratings to critical acclaim to pop culture buzz, it’s struck a chord on all levels. The creative genius of Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady and the on-camera talents of an amazing young ensemble have created a comedy that will entertain viewers for a long time.”

This season, the celebration of geek culture proved its value to CBS when it was moved from its cushy post “Two and a Half Men” time slot on Monday nights to Thursday at 8 p.m. It quickly became television’s top-rated Thursday night series, beating long-running Thursday hits like “The Office” and “Grey’s Anatomy,” and providing a great lead-in for CBS’s freshman comedy “Bleep My Dad Says.” Series star Jim Parsons even won an Emmy for his portrayal of Sheldon. The show also managed to renegotiate the contracts of all of its stars, who wanted to be compensated for the show’s meteoric success, without any acrimony.

There is a lot of money in jokes about quantum physics. According to Deadline, under the new deal, CBS will pay Warner Brothers over $4 million dollars an episode in licensing fees, more than four times what it has been paying under its current contract. With Charlie Sheen’s erratic behavior putting the future of “Two and A Half Men” in jeopardy, the show is even more important to the network.

Rumor has it that Sheldon and Leonard plan to celebrate the good news with a “Star Trek” marathon.